In an odd in-division trade, the Florida Marlins have traded pitcher Scott Olsen and outfielder Josh Willingham to the Washington Nationals. The Marlins will get infielder Emilio Bonifacio and a package of minor leaguers, reports Ken Rosenthal.
The Nats are make a huge push to improve this off-season, as they're of the top teams to land free agent Mark Teixeira as well.
Willingham has been somewhat of a thorn in the Mets side. He's hit .285 against the Mets, but has hit 10 home runs and driven in 34 RBI in 50 games. Olsen has struggled against when playing New York. In 13 games, he holds a 1-5 record and a 4.74 ERA.
Bonifacio has only played in six games against the Mets, and holds a .190 batting average. Ex-Met Anderson Hernandez may take over the void left by Bonifacio at second base.
Strange trade. Still have to tango with all the players in 2009.
11/10/08
Matt Holliday traded to Oakland
According to Jon Heyman of SI.com, the Oakland A's are set to acquire Matt Holliday from the Colorado Rockies.
That's right everyone, the prospect loving Billy Beane just traded for a big bat.
For Mets fans, this is great news, as the Phillies were rumored to be in on landing Holliday for their left field vacancy. I couldn't imagine replacing Pat Burrell with Holliday, so a big thank you goes out to Beane for pulling this one off.
Names that are heading to Colorado are still filtering in, but right now Heyman is reporting that outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, and pitchers Greg Smith and Huston Street may be in on the deal. This would also affect the Mets, as it was being said that Street could be had, possibly by the Mets for the back end of their bullpen.
Street, if he's in on the deal, would replace Brian Fuentes as closer. Fuentes, a free agent, is another name the Mets have been linked to as well.
Big trade by Beane, and a very surprising one if you follow baseball at all.
That's right everyone, the prospect loving Billy Beane just traded for a big bat.
For Mets fans, this is great news, as the Phillies were rumored to be in on landing Holliday for their left field vacancy. I couldn't imagine replacing Pat Burrell with Holliday, so a big thank you goes out to Beane for pulling this one off.
Names that are heading to Colorado are still filtering in, but right now Heyman is reporting that outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, and pitchers Greg Smith and Huston Street may be in on the deal. This would also affect the Mets, as it was being said that Street could be had, possibly by the Mets for the back end of their bullpen.
Street, if he's in on the deal, would replace Brian Fuentes as closer. Fuentes, a free agent, is another name the Mets have been linked to as well.
Big trade by Beane, and a very surprising one if you follow baseball at all.
Funniest baseball trade of all time
During my insatiable journey through the internet for the weird and wild, I happened upon the article "Six of baseball's strangest trades."
The trade ranking in at No. 1 on the list involved the New York Mets, so I figured I'd pass it along.
The trade ranking in at No. 1 on the list involved the New York Mets, so I figured I'd pass it along.
Harry Chiti for Harry ChitiCould you imagine being traded...for yourself? Too funny.
You always see those mysterious “players to be named later” spring up in trades. There are usually restrictions on what players can be traded depending on how each team does. The best player named later, though, was Harry Chiti. At the beginning of the 1962 season, the Cleveland Indians dealt catcher Chiti to the New York Mets for cash and a player to be named later. In June, the two teams decided on the player: Harry Chiti, Essentially, Chiti was traded for himself and cash, making him the literal rent-a-player.
2008 all over again
During the GM Meetings in California last week, news was flying left and right and rumors were swirling that seemingly everyone was on the trading block. Now that those meetings are over, I haven't read anything worthwhile dealing with baseball in days.
That leaves Andrew without baseball related material to write about.
That got me thinking about 2008 (again). What if the Mets made the playoffs and got bounced in the first round? Would that have pleased the fans, just because they actually made the playoffs?
Obviously, we want the team to win the World Series. Too bad that can't happen every year. With the Mets missing the playoffs, in grand fashion in 2007, if the Mets slipped into the playoffs somehow in 2008 I doubt fans would have been all right with just a brief appearance.
The Mets may have alienated some of their fan base with the '07-'08 campaigns. They're going to have to do a lot to re-solidify their trust.
So if the Mets somehow made it into the playoffs in 2008, and got swept out in the first round, would you have been happy?
That leaves Andrew without baseball related material to write about.
That got me thinking about 2008 (again). What if the Mets made the playoffs and got bounced in the first round? Would that have pleased the fans, just because they actually made the playoffs?
Obviously, we want the team to win the World Series. Too bad that can't happen every year. With the Mets missing the playoffs, in grand fashion in 2007, if the Mets slipped into the playoffs somehow in 2008 I doubt fans would have been all right with just a brief appearance.
The Mets may have alienated some of their fan base with the '07-'08 campaigns. They're going to have to do a lot to re-solidify their trust.
So if the Mets somehow made it into the playoffs in 2008, and got swept out in the first round, would you have been happy?
11/8/08
Willie Randolph finds work
The Milwaukee Brewers have hired ex-Mets manager Willie Randolph as their new bench coach.
Randolph was a possibility for the managerial job for the Brewers, and was also offered a job on the Washington Nationals staff, but declined. Reports were also swirling that Randolph could have a shot at the Mariners top spot.
I'm guessing the Mets are off the hook for the money owed on the rest of Randolph's contract? I'm not 100 percent sure, but I think the Mets are up a few million because of this.
Good luck, Willie. Hope you enjoy beer and brats.
Randolph was a possibility for the managerial job for the Brewers, and was also offered a job on the Washington Nationals staff, but declined. Reports were also swirling that Randolph could have a shot at the Mariners top spot.
I'm guessing the Mets are off the hook for the money owed on the rest of Randolph's contract? I'm not 100 percent sure, but I think the Mets are up a few million because of this.
Good luck, Willie. Hope you enjoy beer and brats.
Persistence pays off
Gary Carter has been hired as the new manager of the Long Island Ducks. No word on if he contacted the team before the previous manager was fired.
The New York Times notes that the Mets offered Carter the managerial job for their Double-A franchise in 2007, but he turned it down saying "that a Hall of Famer should not have to go to Class AA to prove himself."
I had no problem with what Carter did before Willie Randolph was fired, but a lot of other people did. Should willingness to take the job be considered bad? I don't think so. I think it got blown way out of proportion.
Either way, if you want to see Carter in action, you now know where to find him.
The New York Times notes that the Mets offered Carter the managerial job for their Double-A franchise in 2007, but he turned it down saying "that a Hall of Famer should not have to go to Class AA to prove himself."
I had no problem with what Carter did before Willie Randolph was fired, but a lot of other people did. Should willingness to take the job be considered bad? I don't think so. I think it got blown way out of proportion.
Either way, if you want to see Carter in action, you now know where to find him.
11/7/08
Rumor Rundown: All the names the Mets are linked to
As the GM Meetings come to a close in Dana Point, Calif., the market and buzz will likely slow down until early December, when the winter meetings kick off in Las Vegas.
Here are some of the latest rumors involving the Mets...
Adam Rubin has an article in the Daily News where he explains that even though Omar Minaya came away empty handed (as did every other GM), "Minaya believes he has laid the groundwork for future deals."
From Rubin we got the usual two closing names with Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes. He also mentions Kerry Wood, who started all of last year for the Chicago Cubs and Chad Cordero, who we first hear rumors for yesterday. Cordero is still recovering from shoulder surgery, and a Met official told Rubin that he probably won't be ready for opening day and should expect a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training if the team decides to pursue.
As always, the Mets bullpen needs an overhaul, and the team is currently shopping Aaron Heilman, Scott Schoeneweis, and Pedro Feliciano.
According to Ken Davidoff:
Here are some of the latest rumors involving the Mets...
Adam Rubin has an article in the Daily News where he explains that even though Omar Minaya came away empty handed (as did every other GM), "Minaya believes he has laid the groundwork for future deals."
From Rubin we got the usual two closing names with Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes. He also mentions Kerry Wood, who started all of last year for the Chicago Cubs and Chad Cordero, who we first hear rumors for yesterday. Cordero is still recovering from shoulder surgery, and a Met official told Rubin that he probably won't be ready for opening day and should expect a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training if the team decides to pursue.
** * **
As always, the Mets bullpen needs an overhaul, and the team is currently shopping Aaron Heilman, Scott Schoeneweis, and Pedro Feliciano.
According to Ken Davidoff:
There definitely will be takers for Heilman and Feliciano; among the teams that like Heilman at some level, are Oakland, Tampa Bay and Texas, and Feliciano has value to any club looking for a left-hander.The Mets would be willing to pay some of the $3.6 million owed to Schoeneweis in 2009. They feel that Schoeneweis could have appeal to other clubs because of his strong numbers against lefty hitters (.520 OPS in 2008).
I think it's going to be pretty easy to unload these guys, if the Mets contact the right team. Heilman, who we all know has struggled, still garners interest due to his age and foreseeable talent.
Feliciano will be a target of a lot of teams due to which arm he uses to deliver pitches. Being a lefty never looked so good. And Schoeneweis caught some attention before the Aug. 31 trade deadling during the season, so if those teams (Tigers were the more interested) are still looking, I'd ship him out as soon as possible.
** * **
Davidoff also breaks down what the Mets Plan A, Plan B and Plan C look like for this off-season.
Plan A entails signing K-Rod or Fuentes, Derek Lowe, and a "low-cost, high-ceiling pitcher (Freddy Garcia, for instance) to compete for the fifth starter's job with Jonathon Niese." Then, trade Heilman and Schoeneweis for some decent bullpen arms, pick up Raul Ibanez, trade Luis Castillo and sign Orlando Hudson.
Well, that'd be nice. That's definitely my Plan A as well, but I just don't think they have the payroll to add all those guys.
Check out the article for Plan B and C. (I like Plan B a lot as well.)
** * **
Seems that looking in-house for a closer is the last resort for the Mets.
Davidoff (yes, again!) quotes Minaya in another article:
Asked yesterday if the Mets could turn within the organization for their closer - a youngster such as Eddie Kunz or Bobby Parnell, for instance - Minaya said, "That is not Plan One."Smart man, I just hope he doesn't disregard them altogether.
11/6/08
Four-years, $44 mil for Fuentes?
According to the Rocky Mountain News, the agents for free agent Brian Fuentes have put a deal on the table for the New York Mets.
The deal is supposedly worth four-years, $44 million. The Rocky Mountain News also notes that the other teams looking into Fuentes were only interested in a one-year or two-year deal.
I'm for this. I'd sign on the dotted line, if I were Omar Minaya. A very good closer for $11 million per season works for me. He's younger than Billy Wagner, and that's only $1 million more than what they will be paying him to get surgery and rehab his arm in 2009.
This move would solidify the back-end of the bullpen, and fill a much needed hole.
The deal is supposedly worth four-years, $44 million. The Rocky Mountain News also notes that the other teams looking into Fuentes were only interested in a one-year or two-year deal.
I'm for this. I'd sign on the dotted line, if I were Omar Minaya. A very good closer for $11 million per season works for me. He's younger than Billy Wagner, and that's only $1 million more than what they will be paying him to get surgery and rehab his arm in 2009.
This move would solidify the back-end of the bullpen, and fill a much needed hole.
Fernando Martinez takes the next step toward MLB
The top prospect is inching his way to the big leagues.
Fernando Martinez, who was signed by the Mets at the mere age of 16, will be just one step away from making it to the parent club this season, as Omar Minaya noted that the five-tool outfielder will begin the season at Triple-A Buffalo.
Martinez, who is only 19-years-old, will be entering his fourth year of professional baseball. He's seen time at everything from rookie ball to Double-A, but has never reached beyond that -- until 2009.
Good for F-Mart, as he's known to fans. I know a lot of people are excited to watch him prosper and grow and to see what he can do on the major league level. Count me among them.
Fernando Martinez, who was signed by the Mets at the mere age of 16, will be just one step away from making it to the parent club this season, as Omar Minaya noted that the five-tool outfielder will begin the season at Triple-A Buffalo.
Martinez, who is only 19-years-old, will be entering his fourth year of professional baseball. He's seen time at everything from rookie ball to Double-A, but has never reached beyond that -- until 2009.
Good for F-Mart, as he's known to fans. I know a lot of people are excited to watch him prosper and grow and to see what he can do on the major league level. Count me among them.
Rumor Rundown: Why, yes! Pitching! (and other things, too)
Hopefully the Mets rehab staff isn't too tired from all the injuries last year, because it looks like they may be spending their time trying to get Chad Cordero back into shape.
According to Adam Rubin in the NY Daily News, Omar Minaya met with Cordero's agent on Wednesday.
Cordero is on his way back from shoulder surgery in July, and may not be ready for opening day. Sounds like Duaner Sanchez syndrome.
From the Daily News, a quote from Cordero's agent Larry Reynolds:
Do it, Omar. Do it.
Nick Cafardo in the Boston Globe dishes two tidbits towards the Queens-faithful.
On Pedro Martinez:
A big NO THANK YOU to Julio Lugo. And I am very worried the Mets are going to give up too much for Vazquez. Tread carefully.
Oh, Manny Ramirez. He will easily be the "Johan Santana" of the 2008-2009 off-season.
According to Ken Rosenthal, the Dodgers have offered Ramirez a ridiculous contract, likely ranking as the second-highest salary in MLB.
Rosenthal speculates that the deal may be worth two-years and upwards of $50 million. He also notes that there may be a team option for a third year.
Minaya on Manny, as quoted by Peter Abraham:
In a separate article, Abraham also point out three pitchers that the Mets and the Yankees may be vying for, and the cross-town brethren will probably be bidding on a few of the same players.
Abraham notes that both teams will probably make a play for Derek Lowe. He also mentions Oliver Perez and A.J. Burnett as targets.
I'd take any of the three. Burnett has had some issues with his previous team (Toronto Blue Jays), so he's probably third on my list. Lowe will only require a two- or three-year deal, which would definitely be the cheapest, as Perez will be commanding a longer contract.
According to Adam Rubin in the NY Daily News, Omar Minaya met with Cordero's agent on Wednesday.
Cordero is on his way back from shoulder surgery in July, and may not be ready for opening day. Sounds like Duaner Sanchez syndrome.
From the Daily News, a quote from Cordero's agent Larry Reynolds:
"All I can tell you is he's way ahead of schedule right now physically, and the doctors have said nothing but great stuff as far as how he's progressing," Reynolds said. "We're just going to make sure we take our time, because I don't think it's wise to jump into anything too quick when you have a guy who might have a 10- or 12-year career ahead of him."If he can bounce back and throw like he once did, that would be great. Ease him back into the closers roll with a few innings in middle relief, then set-up man, then back to doing what he used to do best. Cordero is only 26-years-old, and could be had for a bargain, due to his injury.
Do it, Omar. Do it.
** * **
Nick Cafardo in the Boston Globe dishes two tidbits towards the Queens-faithful.
On Pedro Martinez:
Minaya said he hasn't ruled out Pedro MartÃnez pitching for the Mets next season, and it's his understanding that MartÃnez "can and wants to pitch somewhere next year."On Julio Lugo and Javier Vazquez:
[Red Sox GM Theo] Epstein said Lugo is 100 percent recovered from his quadriceps tear and likely will play winter ball in the Dominican. There has been talk that the Mets and White Sox have interest in Lugo. The White Sox appear willing to move Vazquez. The Mets and White Sox were huddling yesterday afternoonAgain, I am not against bringing Pedro back. It may not be the best move for the Mets, but given the situation, it might be something they have to do.
A big NO THANK YOU to Julio Lugo. And I am very worried the Mets are going to give up too much for Vazquez. Tread carefully.
** * **
Oh, Manny Ramirez. He will easily be the "Johan Santana" of the 2008-2009 off-season.
According to Ken Rosenthal, the Dodgers have offered Ramirez a ridiculous contract, likely ranking as the second-highest salary in MLB.
Rosenthal speculates that the deal may be worth two-years and upwards of $50 million. He also notes that there may be a team option for a third year.
Minaya on Manny, as quoted by Peter Abraham:
He’s an offensive player. He’s been a very good player. But for us, where we are right now, where is it we’re going to invest? Our priority right now is we have to address our pitching.It makes me very happy to see Minaya have his priorities in order. Pitching wins championships.
** * **
In a separate article, Abraham also point out three pitchers that the Mets and the Yankees may be vying for, and the cross-town brethren will probably be bidding on a few of the same players.
Abraham notes that both teams will probably make a play for Derek Lowe. He also mentions Oliver Perez and A.J. Burnett as targets.
I'd take any of the three. Burnett has had some issues with his previous team (Toronto Blue Jays), so he's probably third on my list. Lowe will only require a two- or three-year deal, which would definitely be the cheapest, as Perez will be commanding a longer contract.
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